Prime Highlights
- RBI launched Mission SAKSHAM to train about 1.40 lakh people linked to urban co-operative banks across India.
- The programme aims to improve management quality, compliance culture, and operational resilience in UCBs.
Key Facts
- The Reserve Bank of India is the country’s central banking regulator and supervises urban co-operative banks.
- Urban co-operative banks mainly serve local communities, small businesses, and retail customers.
Background
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched Mission SAKSHAM, a nationwide capacity-building and certification programme for urban co-operative banks (UCBs). RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra introduced the initiative as part of the central bank’s wider efforts to strengthen the co-operative banking sector and improve its long-term stability.
Mission SAKSHAM, which means capable or competent, will run in mission mode across India. It aims to train around 1.40 lakh participants from the UCB sector through classroom sessions and e-learning courses. The programme will cover board members, senior executives, risk heads, compliance officers, audit leaders, IT staff, and employees working in other critical functions.
RBI said the mission will focus on improving managerial strength, operational efficiency, and compliance standards in urban co-operative banks. It also aims to build stronger institutions that can respond better to changing financial and regulatory needs.
The central bank stated that it plans to deliver training content in regional languages wherever possible. RBI designed the programme after consulting the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs along with national and state co-operative federations.
The regulator had first announced Mission SAKSHAM during the monetary policy in early February. RBI had then said that the next stage of growth for urban co-operative banks would depend on stronger skills, technical expertise, and better operational resilience.
Urban co-operative banks play an important role in local credit delivery, especially for small businesses, traders, and communities. With Mission SAKSHAM, RBI seeks to create a continuous learning system for the sector and support healthier growth in the years ahead.
